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Material

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Material is a weekly discussion about the Google and Android universe. Your intrepid hosts try to answer the question, “What holds up the digital world?” The answer, so far, is that it’s Google all the way down. Hosted by Andy Ihnatko and Florence Ion.

Episodes

343: Thank You For Being A Friend

This week, Andy and Flo brace themselves for the return of Google Glass, as rumored through this week's reveal of Project Iris. We talk about YouTube scaling back on original content and why it's struggling to cater to creators. We also touch upon some of the changes coming to Google Pay, and we remember Betty White as Google intended: with roses raining down over a banner splayed across your search results.

Jan 21, 202258 minEp. 343

343: Thank You For Being A Friend

This week, Andy and Flo brace themselves for the return of Google Glass, as rumored through this week's reveal of Project Iris. We talk about YouTube scaling back on original content and why it's struggling to cater to creators. We also touch upon some of the changes coming to Google Pay, and we remember Betty White as Google intended: with roses raining down over a banner splayed across your search results.

Jan 21, 202258 minEp. 343

342: Podcastable Pain

This week's Nvidia Shield update has Flo wondering if it's time to upgrade her Chromecast with Google TV. Andy has finally achieved "Watch Later" Playlist Zero, and it's just as cathartic as Inbox Zero. Then, you know things are getting interesting when Android's SVP is subtweeting Apple in a public forum. Why is the head of Android speaking candidly about messaging apps? We also discuss MKBHD's recent renunciation of the Pixel 6 Pro and end with the latest details on Google's union-busting tact...

Jan 14, 20221 hrEp. 342

342: Podcastable Pain

This week's Nvidia Shield update has Flo wondering if it's time to upgrade her Chromecast with Google TV. Andy has finally achieved "Watch Later" Playlist Zero, and it's just as cathartic as Inbox Zero. Then, you know things are getting interesting when Android's SVP is subtweeting Apple in a public forum. Why is the head of Android speaking candidly about messaging apps? We also discuss MKBHD's recent renunciation of the Pixel 6 Pro and end with the latest details on Google's union-busting tact...

Jan 14, 20221 hrEp. 342

341: Counting On

Google announces more compatibility with its Fast Pair technology and more integrations with Android Auto. Then, the ITC found Google guilting of violating patents filed by Sonos. What does that mean for your Nest devices at home? We'll also discuss why a lawsuit claims Google paid off Apple to stay out of its business and why DuckDuckGo's CEO claims Google is abusing its control of Chrome extensions.

Jan 08, 20221 hr 7 minEp. 341

341: Counting On

Google announces more compatibility with its Fast Pair technology and more integrations with Android Auto. Then, the ITC found Google guilting of violating patents filed by Sonos. What does that mean for your Nest devices at home? We'll also discuss why a lawsuit claims Google paid off Apple to stay out of its business and why DuckDuckGo's CEO claims Google is abusing its control of Chrome extensions.

Jan 08, 20221 hr 7 minEp. 341

340: A Googley Look Back

It's that weird week before Christmas and New Year's, so Andy and Flo are taking some time for reflection. We'll look back at the ways Google won us over in 2021. The Pixel 6, its revamped security cameras, and its attempt at reviving Wear OS were all extremely valiant efforts. We'll also take stock of some of Google's follies throughout the year, both internally and externally, before paying our respects to those we have lost to the Google Graveyard.

Dec 31, 20211 hr 13 minEp. 340

340: A Googley Look Back

It's that weird week before Christmas and New Year's, so Andy and Flo are taking some time for reflection. We'll look back at the ways Google won us over in 2021. The Pixel 6, its revamped security cameras, and its attempt at reviving Wear OS were all extremely valiant efforts. We'll also take stock of some of Google's follies throughout the year, both internally and externally, before paying our respects to those we have lost to the Google Graveyard.

Dec 31, 20211 hr 13 minEp. 340

339: It's A Wonderful Phone

We're taking it easy this week. Andy's honeymoon with the Pixel 6 Pro is nearing its end, and Flo finally got herself a Christmas tree. We'll talk about the PIxel 5a's defeat over the iPhone 13 Pro, why it's not what you think, and why TikTok is beating out Google for traffic. Then we'll get really into the holiday spirit with Google's Santa Village and all the games you can play before diving into the Pixel-themed Tarot deck. Finally, in tribute to our brethren Down Under, we'll end with horror...

Dec 24, 202159 minEp. 339

339: It's A Wonderful Phone

We're taking it easy this week. Andy's honeymoon with the Pixel 6 Pro is nearing its end, and Flo finally got herself a Christmas tree. We'll talk about the PIxel 5a's defeat over the iPhone 13 Pro, why it's not what you think, and why TikTok is beating out Google for traffic. Then we'll get really into the holiday spirit with Google's Santa Village and all the games you can play before diving into the Pixel-themed Tarot deck. Finally, in tribute to our brethren Down Under, we'll end with horror...

Dec 24, 202159 minEp. 339

338: Keep Your Phone in Your Pocket

Flo and Andy are making their best impressions of the Christmas spirit. They wonder if Google Glass is coming back and why everyone is racing to put Android apps on Windows PCs. They applaud Google for its strict vaccination policy for its employees and chat about how Apple's latest Android app helps keep AirTag users safe. Then, it's time to bid farewell to the 21-year-old Google Toolbar.

Dec 17, 20211 hr 16 minEp. 338

338: Keep Your Phone in Your Pocket

Flo and Andy are making their best impressions of the Christmas spirit. They wonder if Google Glass is coming back and why everyone is racing to put Android apps on Windows PCs. They applaud Google for its strict vaccination policy for its employees and chat about how Apple's latest Android app helps keep AirTag users safe. Then, it's time to bid farewell to the 21-year-old Google Toolbar.

Dec 17, 20211 hr 16 minEp. 338

337: Hawkeye The Pixel Guy

Andy indulges in opera while Flo is out on assignment this week. Andy beautifully explains what he enjoyed about _Eurydice_ and _Tosca_ during his trip to the Met and how his Pixel helped him navigate around New York City. Then, why are 200 newspapers suing Google for harming their advertising business? And have Roku and YouTube finally settled their beef? Andy will also walk you through why Microsoft is behind a bug that breaks an Android device's ability to call emergency services before routi...

Dec 10, 20211 hr 18 minEp. 337

337: Hawkeye The Pixel Guy

Andy indulges in opera while Flo is out on assignment this week. Andy beautifully explains what he enjoyed about _Eurydice_ and _Tosca_ during his trip to the Met and how his Pixel helped him navigate around New York City. Then, why are 200 newspapers suing Google for harming their advertising business? And have Roku and YouTube finally settled their beef? Andy will also walk you through why Microsoft is behind a bug that breaks an Android device's ability to call emergency services before routi...

Dec 10, 20211 hr 18 minEp. 337

336: Is “Don’t Be Evil” Legally Binding?

Andy and Flo start this week adlibbing and wondering when blatant fan service is too much. Then, Andy explains why the motto "Don't Be Evil" could be legally binding for a handful of former Googlers. We'll also discuss Google's foray into crime prediction algorithms, which is as dubious as it sounds. But we'll end on a sweeter note, debating the actual color of Android's green bubble on iMessages.

Dec 03, 20211 hr 5 minEp. 336

336: Is “Don’t Be Evil” Legally Binding?

Andy and Flo start this week adlibbing and wondering when blatant fan service is too much. Then, Andy explains why the motto "Don't Be Evil" could be legally binding for a handful of former Googlers. We'll also discuss Google's foray into crime prediction algorithms, which is as dubious as it sounds. But we'll end on a sweeter note, debating the actual color of Android's green bubble on iMessages.

Dec 03, 20211 hr 5 minEp. 336

335: Quite Credible

Andy and Flo are using Google Duo to chat this week, and it's working out quite nicely! We talk about our Thanksgiving plans and the guise behind Andy's pies. Then, we're finally bringing you the Pixel 6 discourse you've been waiting for, followed by a few ripe nuggets from the rumor mill.

Nov 25, 20211 hr 18 minEp. 335

335: Quite Credible

Andy and Flo are using Google Duo to chat this week, and it's working out quite nicely! We talk about our Thanksgiving plans and the guise behind Andy's pies. Then, we're finally bringing you the Pixel 6 discourse you've been waiting for, followed by a few ripe nuggets from the rumor mill.

Nov 25, 20211 hr 18 minEp. 335

334: On The Back Foot

Flo finally got the Pixel 6, and Andy manifests for the Chromecast with Google TV to be a little more like the Nvidia Shield. Then, we chat about some of the latest follies around the Pixel 6 and what users are bringing up in the forums, including the phone's lackluster fast-charging performance and under-display fingerprint scanning issues. **Content warning for the second half of our podcast**: We talk about the Kyle Rittenhouse trial and the defense's request for a mistrial over a compression...

Nov 20, 20211 hr 9 minEp. 334

334: On The Back Foot

Flo finally got the Pixel 6, and Andy manifests for the Chromecast with Google TV to be a little more like the Nvidia Shield. Then, we chat about some of the latest follies around the Pixel 6 and what users are bringing up in the forums, including the phone's lackluster fast-charging performance and under-display fingerprint scanning issues. **Content warning for the second half of our podcast**: We talk about the Kyle Rittenhouse trial and the defense's request for a mistrial over a compression...

Nov 20, 20211 hr 9 minEp. 334

333: The Passion Of The Pixel

It's a cozy end to the week. Andy has store credit, and Flo is waiting on a new phone. We discuss why Pixel 6 users are unhappy with the fingerprint sensor and manifest Google to add face unlock. Then, a bit on Google's new accessibility feature for people with speech impairments and why it isn't updating the Pixelbook in 2022.

Nov 13, 20211 hr 20 minEp. 333

333: The Passion Of The Pixel

It's a cozy end to the week. Andy has store credit, and Flo is waiting on a new phone. We discuss why Pixel 6 users are unhappy with the fingerprint sensor and manifest Google to add face unlock. Then, a bit on Google's new accessibility feature for people with speech impairments and why it isn't updating the Pixelbook in 2022.

Nov 13, 20211 hr 20 minEp. 333

332: Andy Takes Manhattan

The saga you've been waiting for is finally here: the tale of Andy's Boba Mett. Andy also has the Pixel 6 Pro in hand. Though he's not quite ready to talk about it just yet, he's got plenty to say about his visit to the Google Store in New York City. Then, we'll end on some hard news on Google's newest contract with the Pentagon. And why we're excited to hear about what's next from the FTC's newest hire.

Nov 04, 20211 hr 19 minEp. 332

332: Andy Takes Manhattan

The saga you've been waiting for is finally here: the tale of Andy's Boba Mett. Andy also has the Pixel 6 Pro in hand. Though he's not quite ready to talk about it just yet, he's got plenty to say about his visit to the Google Store in New York City. Then, we'll end on some hard news on Google's newest contract with the Pentagon. And why we're excited to hear about what's next from the FTC's newest hire.

Nov 04, 20211 hr 19 minEp. 332

331: The Hamster Wheel Of Life

Flo is back, and Andy is eagerly anticipating his Pixel 6 Pro pre-order. The Pixel 6 reviews are in, and it's positive across the board. Then, we'll talk about an Android tablet comeback. And, would you buy a Sony smartphone with mirrorless capabilities built-in?

Oct 29, 20211 hr 15 minEp. 331

331: The Hamster Wheel Of Life

Flo is back, and Andy is eagerly anticipating his Pixel 6 Pro pre-order. The Pixel 6 reviews are in, and it's positive across the board. Then, we'll talk about an Android tablet comeback. And, would you buy a Sony smartphone with mirrorless capabilities built-in?

Oct 29, 20211 hr 15 minEp. 331

330: Andy's Pixel Journey

Flo is out this week, so it's an Andy solo show. He's here to report on the trifecta of events we warned you about last week! So spooky! Andy reveals to us what his Halloween costume is, then confesses to pre-ordering the Google Pixel 6 Pro. He explains why he chose it over Apple's iPhone 13 Pro.

Oct 23, 20211 hr 15 minEp. 330

330: Andy's Pixel Journey

Flo is out this week, so it's an Andy solo show. He's here to report on the trifecta of events we warned you about last week! So spooky! Andy reveals to us what his Halloween costume is, then confesses to pre-ordering the Google Pixel 6 Pro. He explains why he chose it over Apple's iPhone 13 Pro.

Oct 23, 20211 hr 15 minEp. 330

329: It Comes In Threes

Next week will be a flurry of tech announcements, including the long-awaited and much-revealed Pixel 6 event. Will Google announce something else alongside the sixth-generation smartphone? We'll also discuss why Google has decided to stop making its iOS apps look so much like Android. And then, why are so many Waymo self-driving cars in San Francisco getting stuck at the same dead-end street? (Spoiler: We still haven't figured it out.)

Oct 16, 20211 hr 11 minEp. 329

329: It Comes In Threes

Next week will be a flurry of tech announcements, including the long-awaited and much-revealed Pixel 6 event. Will Google announce something else alongside the sixth-generation smartphone? We'll also discuss why Google has decided to stop making its iOS apps look so much like Android. And then, why are so many Waymo self-driving cars in San Francisco getting stuck at the same dead-end street? (Spoiler: We still haven't figured it out.)

Oct 16, 20211 hr 11 minEp. 329